4 ms·
Sure causality seems like it must be at least some kind of heuristic, that doesn't mean looking for causes is the best, or even a good, use of time I wonder if
by solipsism 10y ago
Sure causality seems like it must be at least some kind of heuristic, that doesn't mean looking for causes is the best, or even a good, use of time
I wonder if you'll recommend your doctor use that bit of wisdom the next time you're sick.
- nonbel 10y agoAfter graduate training in biomed, I am horrified of going to a doctor. After seeing what goes on (ie, lots and lots of NHST + p-hacking), it is really difficult for me to understand how anyone can tell if modern medicine is helping or hurting people overall. It would actually be miraculous to me if it is the former, to the point I would be tempted to believe there is some occult driving force leading humans in the right direction. However, I was thinking about similar the other day regarding the dentist. Say I go get a teeth cleaning. Did the polishing cause my teeth to be cleaner, or did the cleaner teeth cause the dentist to do the polishing? I feel like there is some kind of semantic game being played there.
- solipsism 10y agoDid the polishing cause my teeth to be cleaner, or did the cleaner teeth cause the dentist to do the polishing? Wow...
- nonbel 10y agoI don't think it is that dumb. If the teeth were not going to get cleaner, the dentist would not have taken the action of polishing them. Therefore, cleaner teeth caused the dentist to polish the teeth. Eh, maybe it is a dumb example, but I'd appreciate if you could put your finger on it rather than sarcasm.